Analysis and monitoring of post-COVID mobility demand in Rome resulting from the adoption of sustainable mobility measures

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profile and preferences of urban mobility in Brazil: Challenges and opportunities

Daily commuting characteristics were highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, since restriction of the movement of people was one of the main preventive measures adopted. Understanding of the effects that the pandemic had on mobility is essential to help in mitigating the problems arising from this crisis, while also providing an opportunity for the implementation of sustainable policies in the post-pandemic period. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the impacts of the pandemic on the profile of travel behavior and mobility preferences in Brazil, using a case study of cities located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The data obtained from an online survey were modeled using exploratory factor analysis, resulting in the extraction of 15 main factors that explain behavioral changes in mobility due to the effects of the pandemic, as well as future perspectives. In the pandemic period, the use of private vehicles grew as the main mode of transport to the principal activity. Conversely, the use of public transport decreased drastically, due to compulsory measures taken by the health authorities to prevent the spread of the new virus. There was also greater receptivity to the adoption of active mobility, especially the bicycle, although it is necessary to provide better conditions for use of this transport mode. The findings support the development of public policies to reduce urban mobility problems and to provide guidelines for sustainable planning in the post-pandemic period.

Challenges for urban transport policy after the Covid-19 pandemic: Main findings from a survey in 20 European cities

This article explores the changes in transport and mobility patterns that were triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as citizens' potential new expectations arising from this situation regarding public transport policy and urban planning. We conducted an extensive survey in 20 cities across 11 European countries during the second quarter of 2021, with a total of 10000 respondents. The information that we collected covered the change in the frequency of technology-based alternatives to travel -such as teleworking and online shopping-compared to the pre-pandemic period. It also included the change in trip frequency, purpose, mode and destination. Using the survey dataset as input, we applied a classification model that explains the change in mode choice based on the respondent characteristics and preferences. Our findings suggest that the changes in mobility patterns induced by the pandemic are the result of the combination of the degree of mobility restrictions imposed in each city, the adoption of new lifestyle and work patterns, and individual choices that depend on personal risk aversion. We identify three main challenges for urban transport policy: the increasing use of car that can reinforce long-term car dependency, the avoidance of public transport that may lead to financial and operational instability, and the uncertainty as regards the future of innovation in urban transport, especially as regards emerging technologies and business models.

Potential long-term effects of Covid-19 on telecommuting and environment: An Italian case-study

To contain the sudden spread of SARS-CoV-2, many governments encouraged people to work from home, generating an unprecedented diffusion of this activity. Furthermore, Covid-19 has induced drastic changes in everyday life and travel habits, which might persist in the future. This paper aims to understand and estimate the potential long-term impacts of telework on the environment due to the pandemic, by analyzing factors affecting the frequency of telecommuting, the mode choice for traveling to work, and pollutant emissions generated by these trips. Data from a mobility survey administered in Padova (Italy) was used. Results indicate that Covid-19 could cause a rebound effect reversing the positive impacts of working from home, since, even if the number of trips could be reduced, many shifts towards non-sustainable travel modes could occur. The promotion of telework should be combined with measures fostering sustainable travel habits to pave the way towards a future green mobility.